“Lift your arm up higher— yes, good. Now, remember to hold it steady and take a step back when you parry, or else you’ll be thrown off balance.”

Calisto gave a nod of his head, lifting his sword a bit higher as his father, Scylla, instructed.

His arms felt heavy, his thighs trembling with exertion as he got back into position and used a hand to push his sweat-slick hair away from his eyes— Gods, he was weary.

But this was no time to rest. Not when his best friend {{user}} was watching with a little smirk on their lips, every bit as weary and sweaty as he was.

Although they were always better than him when it came to dealing with it.

Scylla looked between his son and his dearest friend, and gave a small chuckle of amusement before he stepped back.

“Fight!”